Sheriff's Office introduces newest K9 recruit

Wednesday

Jul 5, 2017 at 8:43 PMJul 5, 2017 at 8:43 PM

Nicholas Filipas Record Staff Writer @nicholasfilipas

FRENCH CAMP — For 31 years, Ed Couch served proudly for the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, eventually becoming a lieutenant. While he’s been retired for quite some time, he and his wife, Rogine, find ways to contribute to the agency.

Thanks to their donation of $10,000, the agency’s K9 unit now stands at a full strength.

Authorities announced the addition of Duke, a strikingly handsome and athletic German shepherd, at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters on Wednesday and allowed the Couch’s to meet the canine for the first time.

The 2-year-old shepherd was brought to San Joaquin County from Germany.

For the past month, Duke has been building a strong bond with handler Deputy Mark Utterback. Authorities said the dog is responding well to commands and will become a valuable member to the Sheriff’s Office.

In about four to five months, Utterback and Duke will be ready and well prepared to be out on patrol. Should they be called out to any high stress situations, officials will know Duke will completely listen to Utterback’s commands.

At the moment, it’s learning the basics: verbal commands (in German), how to stay and sit right at Utterback’s feet. Soon, Duke will be able to recognize hand signals without verbal commands and move in tactical positions.

At the agency’s obstacle course, he showcased his ability to jump in and out of patrol windows. Authorities train the K9 units to ride in patrol cars with the windows down for quick reaction time.

Sheriff Steve Moore said the agency is allocated to have only 12 handlers. But because training is time consuming, dogs age out of the system and K9 units are becoming more expensive, the Sheriff’s Office usually has 10 or fewer.

Back in the day, dogs would cost anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000. Now, the price tag can be as much as $11,000.

“This is huge,” said Moore of the donation. “This is one of the greatest ways they can (help).”

Rogine Couch said she and her husband were thrilled to see Duke in person and are anxious to see him help save lives.

“In today’s world, law enforcement needs all the help they can get, and I think that having an extra police dog might help save a life, or two, three or four,” she said. “I was at a loss for words. He’s so cute.”

— Contact reporter Nicholas Filipas at (209) 546-8257 or nfilipas@recordnet.com. Follow him on recordnet.com/filipasblog or on Twitter @nicholasfilipas.